Patent GB-358248-A (GB)
Title: An improvement in or relating to hopper feed mechanism for textile materials
IPC: D01G23/04
Filed: 1930-09-20
Abstract: 358,248. Hopper feeding machines. BROOKE, R. B., 4, George Street, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield. Sept. 20, 1930, No. 28119. [Class 120 (i).] A hopper feed mechanism for textile preparing machines, e.g. carding machines, is provided with means whereby at a determined point in the delivery of a charge to the weigh-pan, the rate of movement of the feed sheet and the rate at which material is fed to the pan are automatically reduced. Motion is communicated from the shaft n, Fig. 1, to the shaft a of a feed sheet roller by either a fast gear train 3 .. 8 or a slow-gear train 1, 2, 5 .. 8 according as a clutch r slidable on a key on the shaft n is coupled to the clutch members on the pinion 3 or the pinion 1 respectively. As the weigh pan P, Fig. 3, descends an adjustably weighted finger v<2> also descends along with a member v to which it is secured and which pivots about a point u<2>. A projection v<1> on the member v presses against and lifts a member u also pivoted about the point u<2>, thus releasing a finger t<4> which rises and allows a counterweighted cam t to which it is attached to rotate, and as a depression t<3> in the cam arrives opposite the end of a fork s, which engages with and controls the position of the clutch, the fork is pulled over by a spring s' and the clutch moved to the left so that the drive to the feed sheet is changed and transmitted by the slow-gear train. After the pan has descended a predetermined distance the usual spring-actuated means operates to stop the feed sheet by transferring the driving belt from the fast pulley o to the loose pulley p and the pan then discharges ; but, if the charge is of light material such as silk, artificial silk, &c., the chain &c. y<1>, Fig. 4, connected to a sprocket on the pivot pin of the pan is actuated from a shaft y<2> by the usual mutilated gear y and a reduction gear train y<5> with change gears which slows down the rate of turning over of the pan. The setting on lever has a connection x pivoted on the same axis as the cam t and, as the lever is operated to restart the drive, a projection x<2> on the lever x restores the cam to the position shown thereby shifting the clutch to the right to give a fast drive and also lower the finger t<4>. The member u is released by the pan rising and operating the member v and projection v<1>, and it will swing down and engage the finger t<4> as soon as the latter is lowered. An adjustable screw u<5> prevents the member u from rising too far when the pan is descending. A roller on the cam-engaging end of the fork s and the cam t are preferably mounted in ball bearings, and a spring is interposed between the gear 3 and pulley p. According to the Provisional Specification, the change over of the clutch is effected by the setting on cam riding clear of its operating lever which is then pulled by a spring or weight to remove the cam t to an inoperative position and allow the spring s<4> to act. The change over from fast to slow drive may be varied by providing an abutment on the lever co-operating with the setting on cam, this abutment being set to vary the time at which the spring or weight acts.